Social Security keeps changing my in-person appointment to telephone - how to fix without another office visit?

This happens all the time with SSA - their appointment system is notorious for defaulting to telephone even when staff input in-person. The fastest way to fix this is through your MySSA online account. Log in, go to 'Upcoming Appointments' and there should be an option to modify the appointment type. If you don't see that option, you unfortunately will need to contact them. If you do have to call, try calling right when they open at 9am or in the last hour before they close when call volume tends to be lower.

same thing happened to me last year!! i went in person to make an IN PERSON appointment and they sent me a letter 4 a phone one. so annoying!!!

Your best bet is to email them through the secure messaging in your MySocialSecurity account. Explain exactly what happened and request an in-person appointment. Include your confirmation number if you have one, along with the date/time of the scheduled call. They usually respond within 2-3 business days, and in my experience, they're much more helpful through secure message than by phone. Be sure to mention that you need to present original documents that require in-person verification - that's a valid reason they should accommodate.

I've been helping my clients navigate SSA appointments for years, and unfortunately this isn't uncommon. The issue is that their internal scheduling system has telephone as the default setting, and sometimes staff forget to change the appointment type even when they verbally confirm they will. Here are your options: 1. Use the secure messaging in MySocialSecurity (as someone mentioned) 2. Fax a letter to your local office (yes, they still use fax!) 3. Mail a letter to your local office requesting the change 4. Call the national number and request a change Option 4 is typically fastest but also most frustrating due to wait times. If you have documentation that needs to be verified in person, make sure to specifically mention that as SSA has certain rules about which documents must be viewed as originals.

I've tried calling SSA multiple times about appointment issues and it's IMPOSSIBLE to get through!! I spent 3 hours on hold last week and then got disconnected. When I finally did reach someone the next day after another 2 hour wait, they told me they couldn't help because it was a local office matter. The whole system is designed to frustrate people until they give up.

just go back 2 the office with ur letter and show them. its annoying but at least u will get it fixed 4 sure. thats what i did and got it fixed right away. sometime the online stuff just makes things worse tbh

One more important thing to consider - if your appointment is for retirement benefits application, you should be able to complete the entire application online without any appointment at all. The only documents you would need to provide in person are ones they can't verify electronically (like a birth certificate if you weren't born in the US). For most standard retirement claims, the online process is much more efficient. The exception would be if you have complicating factors like WEP/GPO from non-covered pensions or complex dependent situations.

After seeing your responses, I recommend you call your local office directly rather than the national number. Most local offices have direct lines that aren't published, but here's a trick: call your Congressperson's office and tell them you're having trouble reaching SSA. They usually have the direct numbers to local offices and can either give it to you or make a call on your behalf. Congressional inquiries get priority attention at SSA offices.

I work as a benefits counselor and see this appointment mix-up constantly with SSA. Since you mentioned WEP calculations, you absolutely need that in-person appointment - those cases are complex and require careful document review. Here's what I'd recommend doing immediately: 1) Send a secure message through MySocialSecurity explaining the error and emphasizing you need in-person due to WEP pension documentation, 2) If you have the name of the employee who helped you originally, mention that in your message, and 3) Keep your phone appointment as backup while waiting for the secure message response. Don't cancel it until you get confirmation of the in-person switch. SSA staff are generally more accommodating when they understand the complexity of WEP cases since they know those calculations require extra attention to detail.

As someone who recently went through a similar situation, I'd suggest one more option that worked for me: if you have a local Social Security office, try showing up about 30 minutes before they open and explain the situation to the security guard or first staff member you see. I brought my appointment letter showing it was changed to phone when I specifically requested in-person, and they were able to get me a quick meeting with a supervisor who fixed it on the spot. Since you have WEP complications, they'll understand why you need face-to-face document review. It's worth the early morning trip to avoid weeks of back-and-forth through other channels. Also, make sure to bring a copy of your pension documentation with you so they can see immediately why telephone won't work for your case.

I had a very similar experience last year! What finally worked for me was sending a secure message through MySocialSecurity AND simultaneously faxing a letter to my local office. In the secure message, I specifically mentioned that I had WEP considerations (like you do) and needed to present original pension documents that couldn't be properly reviewed over the phone. I also referenced the date and approximate time of my original visit where I specifically requested in-person service. They responded to my secure message within 48 hours and switched me back to in-person. The key is being very specific about WHY you need in-person service - don't just say you prefer it, explain that your WEP pension documentation requires physical review of original documents. SSA staff understand that WEP calculations are complex and usually accommodate these requests when the reasoning is clear. Good luck!

I'm dealing with a similar issue right now! I scheduled an in-person appointment for disability benefits last month, specifically told them I needed in-person because I have mobility issues and wanted to bring my medical records folder to show them everything at once. Got the confirmation letter yesterday - telephone appointment! It's so frustrating because now I'll have to figure out how to scan or fax dozens of medical documents instead of just bringing the originals. Reading through all these responses, it sounds like the secure messaging route through MySocialSecurity might be my best bet too. Has anyone had success getting accommodation requests honored when you explain medical reasons for needing in-person appointments?

I've been through this exact same frustrating experience! What worked for me was calling the local office directly (not the national number) first thing in the morning around 8:45am before they officially open to the public. The staff member who answers is usually more helpful since they're not overwhelmed with walk-ins yet. I explained that I had specifically requested in-person service for my retirement application due to complex pension calculations, and they were able to switch it immediately in their system. The key is being persistent but polite, and emphasizing that you need to review original documents that can't be properly assessed over the phone. If the first person can't help, ask to speak with a supervisor. Since you mentioned WEP issues, that's definitely a valid reason that requires in-person document review. Don't give up - this is their system error, not yours!